Hear from Pike Township trustee candidates

With Steven Royalty stepping down from his position as Pike Township trustee, the race for Pike Township trustee is wide open. Three candidates have entered the race – Michael Foster, Mike Ober, and Harmon Sizemore – and all three believe they have what it takes to be township trustee.

Here what they have to say below about why they’re running for the position and what they’d like to accomplish if they win the election.

Michael Foster

“I was raised here in this area and I’m a 1998 graduate of Western Brown HS. It’s my qualifications, my background, my history with the township, education, work history, I have two business degrees from the University of Cincinnati, and I think a lot of my studies will pertain to the job. My four years of experience working with the trustees and fiscal officer.

“I was the zoning inspector and cemetery manager for four years. The cemetery is an ideal place for folks to come and take their leisure walks because we do such a good job at keeping it up and taking care of it. It’s good to be a part of that.

“I plan to uphold the tradition, the history, and the zoning resolution, and to protect the citizens of the township. It’s also very important to continue to improve our roadways so folks can go to and from. I want to do everything we can ourselves so we don’t have to contract out, such as being frugal with the money, keeping the costs down, and salting the roads ourselves.”

Mike Ober

“Steve Royalty is a good friend of mine and since he was stepping down, and he suggested since I’ve been an electric contractor for several years and knowledgeable with farming equipment, and I’ve got the tree trimming equipment, I’d be a good asset to take care of the roads and ditches. I know people around here and they’ve said why don’t you run for trustee, you run a good smart business, you’ve done our electric work, etc. Half a mile from my house is the township building. I think I’m honest, hard working, dedicated and I know I’d be good for Pike Township.

“I would just like to oversee the roads and if the people call and say there’s a tree down, I feel I can get out at any time of night because I’m on call as an electrician anyway. I can get a tree or snow removed, and I have a good relationship with the Ohio Department of Transportation and Jeff Cluxton at the Brown County Engineer’s Office to get the job done. I’ve got a good working relationship with A&H safety. I’ve got a lot of resources at my fingertips for my business and I can pass that along to the township at no cost.”

Harmon Sizemore

“I live in the township and I’ve always been civic minded and I wanted to give back to the community. I want to make sure that the people are heard and taken care of. Whatever their needs are I want to focus on those and take care of those. I also want to do the rest of the duties of the trustees making sure the roads are clear and cemeteries are clean.

“I just am civic minded and I volunteer locally. I’m there for the people. I have no hidden agendas.”